How Moderate Drinking Might Change Your Brain

Moderate alcohol consumption tied to decline in cognitive abilities

(RxWiki News) Even drinking a moderate amount of alcohol might have negative effects on your brain, according to a new study.

Participants in this study who drank the most — just over two glasses of wine or two heavy beers each night of the week — over the 30-year study period were more likely to have a type of brain damage that affects memory and spatial navigation. They were also more likely than those who didn't drink to show declines in language skills and thought processing, this study found.

This study's findings for those who drank heavier amounts of alcohol echoed those of past research. But one finding that didn't fit with most past research was that even those who drank a moderate amount of alcohol each week saw declines in brain function. For this study, a moderate amount of alcohol was equivalent to a little over one glass of wine or a beer each night.

"Alcohol might represent a modifiable risk factor for cognitive impairment, and primary prevention interventions targeted to later life could be too late," these researchers wrote in their study.

Despite what some past research has suggested, this study found no brain health benefits of light drinking compared to not drinking at all.

This study looked at data for 550 participants in a United Kingdom study. The participants' average age was 43 at the start of the study, and none of them were dependent on alcohol.

If you are concerned about your alcohol intake, talk to your health care provider.

Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol use disorder is the repeat and chronic abuse of alcohol. Alcohol use may be dangerous or self-destructive to yourself or those around you. Alcohol dependence (also called alcoholism) is alcohol use disorder in which patients also e...

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